The handsets sport 8MP cameras with LED flash, but the camera UI on the HTC One X is the more functional and easy to use app of the two. Thanks to the Android ICS camera API and the dedicated HTC ImageChip ISP we have a sub-second focus and capture time with it, as well as the ability to take pictures while shooting video.

There are plenty of shooting modes like Panorama, Smile Shot or Action Shot on both phones, but HTC has made them very easily accessible, plus it excels in the number of effects you can quickly apply to your photos – no less than 15 like Retro or Vignette.

In terms of picture quality, though, the HTC One X sometimes takes wrong white balance measurements, resulting in a purplish sky at points, while the Galaxy Note module is spot on. The Note's pictures are overall brighter and more saturated, too.

HTC One X

Samsung Galaxy Note

HTC One X

Samsung Galaxy NoteCamera samples

HTC One X

Samsung Galaxy NotePanorama images

Indoors both handsets capture a lot of detail and keep noise in check, but there is a reddish overcast in the One X's photos, plus the LED flash on the Galaxy Note illuminated our test scene better.

Strong

Medium

Low light

Darkness with flash

HTC One X

Samsung Galaxy NoteIndoor samples

When it comes to video capture, 1080p is the norm, but our One X unit produced 22-24 fps inside and out, whereas the Note was consistently shooting with 30fps outside, falling to 24fps inside.

HTC One X Sample Video:

Samsung Galaxy Note Sample Video:

HTC One X Indoor Sample Video:

Samsung Galaxy Note Indoor Sample Video:

The focus on the One X seemed to struggle in the beginning of the video, too, resulting in jumpy frames. The One X, on the other hand, had much less visible noise in the indoor video, but outside its white balance was a bit off with tricky lighting spots, unlike the Galaxy Note, which got it correct.

Multimedia:

The Beats Audio branding of the HTC One X should be giving it an edge in the sound department at first look, but in reality there are only regular headphones in the box, not a Beats or other high-quality pair, so you’d have to splurge extra to take true advantage of the red branding.

The music player of the HTC One X

The Galaxy Note also has some tricks up its audio sleeve with a mock 5.1 channel surround sound in headset mode and a rich number of sound regimes and equalizer presets. Both music player interfaces do the job in terms of tunes categorization, but are nothing breathtaking as interface. The loudspeaker is stronger and cleaner on the Galaxy Note, compared to the ho-hum unit on the One X.

Music player of the Samsung Galaxy Note

Video playback is becoming one of the most important factors to draw people towards huge screens, and since both phones play most formats, including DivX/Xvid up to 1080p definition, we’d have to give the video round to the Galaxy Note, on account of the gigantic display with peppy AMOLED colors, although the One X actually offers a great viewing experience as well.

Display mode:

Well in my opinion, the HTC One X really has nothing special apart from it's beautiful display and speedy processor. In every other respect it's just like every other phone and falls short in some categories. Heck, it's not the only player in the quad core game anymore, with the Galaxy SIII right around the corner. The Note, on the other hand, is and will be the only phone to exceed 5 inches and have a stylus, and just simply works. You could take a look at the sales. In short, NOTE WINS!

Yeah I agree with you, nothing really special with one x. Its just the same with other phones. The note has stylus, the first with 5.3 inch screen and hd resolution. Your one x just catching up with samsunghas already have. Yap the sales also its pretty obvious.

Samsung Galaxy Note FTW.
Nothing new about the HTC One X except for the heavily marketed quad-core. Which quite frankly majority of Smartphone users dont ever require. No obvious benefits.
Galaxy Note has the massive 5.3inch screen and the ever useful S-Pen going for it.
And above all the mammoth 2500mah battery :)))
Having said that though, if you still feel you require a quad core processor rather than a dual core....go for the upcoming Samsung Galaxy SIII :)

I have seen people that have purchased the note hardly ever use the stylus.. and is simply to big.. when using it as a phone not a tablet... and those are the characteristics of the Note.. One X wins in my mind

Be rational people please. I can't believe some people are arguing that the Note is a better overall device because they think there's nothing is "special" about the One X. What is this "special" component that the One is missing and how does the Note possess it? One X has a better screen, better processor, its thinner, and has a beautiful design that I believe looks way better than the Notes plastic casing. The Note does have an SD slot and removable battery but other than size there is nothing "special" about the Note. 0.3 inches of extra screen space is simple not a rational reason to say that the note is a better device. It's not. The One X is a better overall device. I don't see it any other way. Prove me wrong.

You can click on my username and see. I own an international One X and I have briefly used the Note for my own comparison purposes. I understand the Note comes with a stylus Samsung has deemed the "S-Pen" but, although it may very well be wonderful (It was not included in my comparison) is not a factor in my argument. I am referring specifically to the devices aesthetic attractiveness and the capabilities of the hardware/software itself and not accessories like stylus and removable batteries and SD cards. I do understand that accessories effects consumers and appreciate that the Note does have/allow such accessories to be used with it but, I do not believe such accessories should effect a raw comparison of the two stand alone devices capabilities. I believe that when to comes to both aesthetic and capabilities of the phones themselves the One X wins in more categories then the Note.

Well see you're saying the extra 0.3 inches is simple, but the already snappy 1.4GHz dual core processor is not enough, that you must have a quad core processor to get tasks for a smartphone done. The gap between dual core smartphones and computers is already thin enough, the gap between quad core smartphones is only marginally thinner, if not at all. Also, what's the reason you buy a certain phone in the first place? It has something no other phone has and that thing is something that you might find very useful in your life. Sure, plastic, all the phones have plastic and HTC isn't plastic, but if you think about it, nearly 9 out of every 10 users who can afford a smartphone also afford covers, and what do we do with these covers... We cover the backplate, whether it's as crappy as the Note's plate or as durable as the One X's. Now as for the display, it's all about opinion. I don't mean to sound biased, I like the sound of an infinite contrast ratio. I like my blacks being black and whites being white, not a shade of grey. Also a lot of you just forget about this little detail that HTC praised so much and that is camera. Samsung didn't really talk about the Note's camera but it takes some very decent pics. The One X's aren't even tolerable, especially after HTC talked so much about their imagechip and fast photo taking capabilities, but what's the point if you can't even take a decent photo. So there you have it, HTC is lacking in one department, the Note, last I checked, had all it's details paid attention to, and added a few pretty cool extras.

First off, that was me that thumbs down you. It was an accident. I happened to push it while scrolling. Actually you caught a typo I made. I ment to say "simply". I believe that 0.3 simply is not enough of a difference in screen size to consider the Note a "brand new type of device" and/or a better more user friendly device then the One X. I don't think the fact that you can buy a case for the phone plays any factor in making the Note a better stand alone device. Actually the fact that your argument is the plastic back would motivate people to buy a case for the Note only proves my point more. The plastic it cheap, weak and no one prefers it to the One X's casing as far as build quality is concerned. Also I think the 1.4Ghz dual-core is a very capable chipset but, the One X's is better no matter how big or small the performance gap is (it actually pretty sizeable if you look at the benchmarks). I don't think saying that the dual-cores performance is close but, still falls short to the One X's is a good argument on behalf of the Note ether. As for the camera, I own a One X now and my photos are brilliant although I would not consider the One X's camera quality to be the best on the market the camera UI is very snappy and with all the added modes and option the One X's camera serves its purpose exceptionally well. I didn't get a chance to fool with the Note's camera enough so I will not say if its better or worse then the One X's but, at this point I don't think it matters. I'm not saying there aren't reasons to buy a Note (accessories) but, as far as the core devices are concerned the One X is a better overall device.

Firstly, it isn't 0.3 inches it is 0.6 inches. Compare a Galaxy S screen with a One X for seeing the difference. Secondly, the Note has a higher resolution for web browsing - so less scrolling. Thirdly, battery life is probably the number one gripe for smartphones. One X is trounced according to specs and the ad hoc test - in addition the Note battery is removable.
Fourthly, you are saying that it is the looks that swing it for you, ignoring the point made above that people use cases / sleeves etc.
Fifthly, camera, the tests show that the NOte is better for video and photos except maybe speed - which generally isn't the issue.
So don't say that the One X is better. Every single one of your arguments for the One X are demolished. The Note wins out on every category above so your final statement is plainly wrong. This doesn't mean the One X isn't a nice phone - but it isn't a better overall device or on many ways of measuring it.
In addition the Note has expandable memory and has the S-Pen. It seems for you the two drawbacks are bragging rights from benchmarks and what you might look like holding the phone to your head. If you are that worried get an iPhone! There isn't that much a size difference (as you said above...)

Firstly, it may have been better for you to have just made a numbered list (just jokin'). I thank you for correcting me about the screen size. I looked at someones comment and it said "5 inches" so I just took that and ran with it without even checking the specs, my bad. I went to an ATT store recently to give the NOTE another shot against my international ONE X and I have to say I still feel the same way. It seems that your comment is not saying that you disagree with what I am as much as you feel that the the categories that the ONE X trumps the NOTE in are less important and that the NOTE better caters to there core need of the user. Somethings can't be argued fore they are your opinion and pertains to the way you personally use your device (ex. High screen resolution for browsing vs Screen size). You also go on to say that the look and way that the materials that the phone are made of aren't important because the user can buy a case. I am not ignoring that you can buy a case for the NOTE, I'm say that in the build materials of the NOTE are of subpar quality when compared to the durability, look and feel of the ONE Xs casing. By you saying "Oh, you can just throw a case on it" not only are you reenforcing what I've already pointed out about the build materials of the NOTE, your also saying it doesn't really matter what a phone is made of, looks or feels like. I can not entertain that. Design and build materials matter when it comes to overall quality of a device because of comfortability, durability and aesthetics. This time I made sure I compared cameras and I have to say there was not much of a difference in the quality of the images I took with ether device. They both have great cameras the ONE Xs being faster from boot to shoot. The NOTEs video capabilities I did not test but, I assume that the NOTE did better in that category with the ONE Xs 1080p video recording topping off at 24 fps. Once again this is a comparison of devices not accessories so S-Pens, and cases for the NOTE have no part in it. Expandable memory and replaceable battery are to pluses but, I can't give the too much credit because they indirectly effect performance and require additional purchases. The NOTE is a little big for a pocket device but, I'm not bothered by it at all I just don't think it should be regarded as this new device just because of 0.6 inches. In my comparison I also found the NOTE to be fairly laggy in comparison to the ONE X when scrolling the app drawer and the home screen. Im sure it has something to do with the size of the display straining the chip. My biggest draw back is not "how the phone looks on my ear", it's the smoothness of the UI and the power of the chip-set. The ONE X bet the NOTE performance wise every single time in everything I tested (benchmarks, games, ICS UI) that's most important category. The ONE X is more powerful and better overall. Overall as in 'with everything considered' not meaning 'better in every category'

Well I see the point you've made. Still you have to admit that usually people will buy a case whether or not it were made of plastic. As for the camera, not sure really, I think I judged too early and from the photos phonearena posted. I do agree that their performance is pretty quick and snappy, I also have to admit as much as I love the Note's picture and video quality, I loath the shot to shot time, it's lackluster, or I'm just impatient since not many people complain about that aspect of the phone. You do make a valid point about processing speed, the Note simply can't compete with that much horsepower, but I'm saying that thus far I didn't need such computing power on my phone, at least not until developers come up with apps that utilize all these cores, like animation and video making, or video editing, like Sony Vegas or Adobe After Effects and Premiere Pro. In the end, it's all a matter of opinion, I do and will believe that my trusty Note is the better device, as I didn't feel the regret and self-loath that one has when he sees his device bested in specs and awesomeness, the feeling I felt when the Galaxy SIII was unveiled.

The ONE X has its draw backs too: no replaceable battery, not memory expansion, Tegra 3 compatibility issues (ex. gameloft). Your very right in think that you don't have a top of the line device. The NOTE is easily becoming one of the the most iconic and well recognized Android smartphones. And if theres anything that Android need if it's going to topple the Apple empire it is recognition.

I have to say that I have the upmorst respect for you, your opinion and I greatly appreciate that you to the time to read mine. Thanks.

You are very welcome, and thank you as well. One last question, just out of curiosity, I found it a little funny that phonearena gave the AT&T version of the Note a higher rating than the international one, especially since that one lacked a physical home key and it's more out-dated processor, the only thing it has that the international one doesn't would be 4G and the lagging issue that you've had is pretty common on my phone admittedly but never has it lagged in the app drawer, so were you using the international version or the AT&T version. Just for the record, mine's the international one.

The note should really be regarded as a mini tablet below 7" with voice calling capability rather than regarding it as a cell phone. Samsung pushed it out as cell phone is really a glimmick. It should be compared in the tablet category and Samsung should open up another new trend for tablet below 7 inches with this Galaxy note rather than to compete it with other cell phones with screen below 5 inches. This should be regarded as the very first new Mini tablet ever manufactured by Samsung instead.

I have to disagree. Yes the note has its niche market but that falls into the cell phone category. The note is more comparable to a cell phone now a days rather than compared to a tablet. The smallest tablet size (on average) is 7" and the note is almost 2 inches smaller than a small tablet. But in comparison to cell phones its roughly only an inch bigger than the average 4.3" cell phone. Only 0.6 inches bigger than the one x. So in my opinion and in a general sense, the note is closer to being a cell phone than a tablet although it is neither. Its a whole new type of device, which is why people love it.

hi sir i had to register just to inform u the n700 model note is not the at&t model that u compared ur one x to. they not only have diff chp sets the international version dosent have at&ts bloat ware installed.. and i say this to explain the possible lag u described at the at&t store...and afterall u did say u have the international version of the one x...thats all im sayin...u might of had a lil advantage on the i717 that u wouldnt with the n7000 :)

Very true. Thanks for clarifying that for me. I hadn't originally planned on doing my own comparison, it was more of an after thought when I read PA's review. An international Note would have definitely been idle had I had one available at the time. I'm sure the Int. Note would have gave the One X more of a fight.

The One X - Has so many issues like Wi-FI issues and many other issues. Don't by One X it doesn't even have removable battery.

The Note - you got to remember when you researching a phone you wanted to say to your self do I want this type of design and what kind of components do I want and specs. The Note is the only smartphone that I know of that is 5 column row.

I've never had one single issue. Every phone has defective units at launch and the iPhone doesn't have a removable battery either an no one says s*** about that. Frankly if the battery is healthy then I don't really care if I can take it out or not.

PA, Kindly write correctly about video playback capabilities of HTC one X compared with SGS III or Galaxy Note. You are not telling completely about One X. It is no way at par with both of above mentioned handsets. in fact, HTC is still offering the same codec support which it used to with Desire HD. Not even AC3 audio codec support. This is serious bulls**t on HTCs part while they write "Multimedia Powerhouse" about their phones and still supporting the limited codecs. Whereas, you throw anything in SGS I to SGS III and it plays back flawlessly.

Moreover, HTC needs to look in following shortcomings in their high end phones, seriously:
1. Small batteries sizes they offer with their large acreen phones.
2. Beats headphones to be proivided or atleast in-ear buds headphones like Samsung does for better and comfortable audio listening experience.
3. Proper file manager.
4. Built-in 16gb with expansion slot for micro SD card

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